General Zaroff is a complex figure in the short story. On the one hand, he is a sophisticated and well-cultured person. Even Rainsford who has been around is pleasantly surprised at Zaroff's knowledge, etiquette, and manners. For example, Zaroff has read all the book on hunting in English, Russian, and French. The text says:
He was finding the general a most thoughtful and affable host, a true cosmopolite.
On the other hand, Zaroff's culture and sophistication created a game that was evil. He created a preserve on the island, in order to hunt humans. Zaroff wanted a challenge. He wanted to hunt something that could reason.
Zaroff loves the thrill and the challenge of hunting. At one point, he could have killed Rainsford in the hunt, but he allows him to escape to hunt him again.
In conclusion, Zaroff is sophisticated man, who uses his knowledge and wealth to please himself in the most misanthropic way. Perhaps, he has seen and experienced too much in war, as a Cossack general.
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